stress and anxiety

You've heard of the butterfly effect, right? You know, when a butterfly flaps its wings somewhere halfway across the world, which leads to a chain of events that may change the world. OK, so along those lines, researchers are now saying that happiness works the same way. One smile, one giggle, random acts of kindness--they all may have bigger impacts than we think... read more

What makes you really squeamish? Whether it's a a mouse or a spider--or riding on an airplane or being stuck in an enclosed space for too long--I think we'd all agree that phobias aren't a laughing matter. I'll share my phobia (which I'm dealing with right now!) if you share yours--let's get to know each other a bit... read more

Are you suspicious about full moons? I know people who swear that more crimes are committed, more babies are conceived and born, and more people are admitted to hospitals on nights where the moon is full. And when my sister told me her prediction--that my baby would be born on December 12 (next Friday!), when a full moon is predicted, I wondered what research had to say on the topic--and what you thought, too... read more

I've ran some interesting polls here on Vitamin G in the last month, and I thought you might like to know the results, which are so interesting! Read on to see where you stand on topics such as cookie dough, body image and holiday weight gain... read more

Have you ever had a killer headache--the kind that Advil and aspirin just don't seem to touch? Dehydration, stress and your period can bring them on--and then there are those dreaded migraines. When your usual over-the-counter pain pills don't cut it, here's some new thinking from researchers about what will... read more

Are you sitting at your desk right now wishing this was another holiday week instead of five loooong days? Aren't we all? Here's a question for you--one that might help gauge how happy you are with the status quo. If you didn't have to work (yep, that means financial security and no financial worries from here on out!), what would you do with your life? Tell me what you'd do, and read my kind-of-surprising answer... read more

It's hard enough maintaining your weight loss during normal times of the year, but then come the holidays, and it's like we all need body armor to ward off temptations. So, it could seem like a good idea to bring some healthy meal option to grandma's house for Thanksgiving, right? The logic: If you fill up on your own healthy meal, whatever it may be, maybe you'll avoid the buttery mashed potatoes. But, really, is it rude? read more

Have you ever met a woman dressed to the nines (as in her entire ensemble, plus the bag, must have cost thousands), only to find out that she just graduated from college--last month. Or do you have a friend who somehow manages to eat out at fancy restaurants every night--on an assistant's salary? No, they're not all trust fund babies. Meet the new "elite." Are you one? read more

We got all fired up last Tuesday and shared the little and big things that were bugging us. So, in another installment of healthy anger and stress release, let's try it again. But this time, you get to raise your voice--really loud. And because I'm not a yeller (but so wish I was at times), I think it just might feel good to do a little shouting ... read more

If you haven't gotten the stomach flu that's been going around (at least here in my city, Seattle), beware. The bug is icky with a capital "I." It worked its way through my household recently (not fun), and health officials are warning that this virus is on the rise in places across the country. Here's a stay-healthy tip you may want to adopt today ... read more

Do you ever go through times in your life when you feel totally frumpy? Not my favorite word, but hey, it's the best way to describe THAT feeling. Whether its weight gain, life circumstances--whatever--that has you feeling bad about your looks, there is one thing you can do (and it has nothing to do with the gym) to instantly turn things around--promise. Secret revealed after the jump. read more

When's the last time you had a really bad nightmare? (Me? Last night--pregnancy makes you have the weirdest dreams.) Even worse, some people experience recurring nightmares--where you dream the same scary thing over and over again. If this ever happens to you, here's a surprising tip on how to zap them ... read more

Hi all. OK, not that getting angry and stewing about things is any health achievement, but let's face it: Sometimes it feels good--even refreshing--to blow off a little steam. So here, I'm offering you a punching bag, and some good reasons to start swinging (speaking figuratively of course!) ... read more

Hey readers--how's your Wednesday going? Chances are good you've got something big on your mind, something that's stressing you out. Am I right? (Here's to hoping that I'm not!) OK, so if you answered yes, here's what I want to know: If you could slash some big--or just really annoying--source of stress from your life right now (as in poof, gone!), what would it be? read more

If the headline caught your eye--chances are you're recalling a less-than-pleasant memory of something humiliating (the time you burped in front of your boss, maybe? Oops!). In case you're still feeling mortified about some kind of bodily flub, read on for an embarrassing confession from moi and a reminder that we're ALL human ... read more

Ever bawled your eyes out in the middle of the conference room or started sniffling in front of your boss? It's happened to me, and I so wished I could have gotten control of my emotions before the tears started falling. But, experts say that occasional tears at the office isn't such a big career blooper. Here's why ... read more

What are you clenching your teeth about right now? Work? Kids? Sick dog (a friend of mine's pooch died recently--sad)? OK, so some relaxation is in order. One British scientists claims to have created the most relaxing room on earth. Yes, this is something we have to see (photo after the jump) ... read more

You probably heard the news that Barack Obama is taking an unprecedented two-day break from campaigning to visit his ailing grandmother in Hawaii. With just days left in the election, he's taking a breather. It reminded me of that fact that no matter how crazy, how insane, how enormous our problems and challenges may seem, there are always those things that ground us ... read more

Think of your worst nightmare--now imagine yourself actually acting it out at night while you're sleeping. That's more or less a reality for 29-year-old British TV personality Natalie Pinkham. The pal of Prince Harry has embarrassed herself, believed she was a suicide bomber and even almost drowned--all in her sleep. read more

Jenny McCarthy is outraged by comments that actor Denis Leary made in his new book Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid. (Um, you could be outraged just by the title!). But when Denis wrote that people with autism are "... stupid. Or lazy. Or both," Jenny, who's the mother of an autistic child, let loose ... read more